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ASK THE INSPECTORS
Question: On a new home
sale, I overheard the builder representative talk to the buyer about
something called an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter. What do these
devices do and should they be installed in older homes also? – Anna,
Keller-Williams Agent in Phoenix
Problems in home electrical systems, like arcing and
sparking, have been associated with more than 40,000 fires every year.
That translates to over 350 lives lost and 1,400 personal injuries annually.
This new electrical safety device called an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter
(AFCI), was recently developed and is expected to provide significant
protection from fires
resulting from these unsafe wiring conditions.
Ordinary household fuses and breakers do not respond
to early arcing and sparking conditions. By the time a fuse or circuit
breaker stops the flow of electricity in a circuit, the fire may already
have begun. Several years ago, a Consumer Products Safety Commission
(CPSC) study identified arc fault detection as a promising new technology.
Since then, the CPSC engineers have tested the new AFCI’s on the
market and found them to be very effective.
A few important facts to note:
The most recent edition of the National Electrical
Code (NEC – January 2002), the widely adopted model code for electrical
wiring, requires AFCI’s for all bedroom circuits in new residential
construction. Future editions of the code, which is updated every three
years, could expand the required areas. Don’t confuse AFCI protection
and GFCI protection. Both AFCI’s and GFCI’s are important safety
devices, but they have different functions. AFCI’s are intended
to prevent fire hazards; GFCI’s prevent shock hazards. Combination
devices that include both AFCI and GFCI protection in one unit will become
available soon. Current configurations, as depicted above, have a reset
button on the breaker in the electrical panel. Future designs might change
the location of the reset. It is wise to install AFCI protection in older
homes. Aging wiring systems are often at the most risk for arcing and
sparking. Be sure to have a qualified electrician install AFCI’s;
do not attempt this work yourself. Expect to see home inspectors recommend
AFCI’s for all dwellings. Many people would be alive today if only
they had an AFCI installed prior to the fire that claimed their lives.
Home inspectors are likely to be the ones bringing this news to the public. |
